New Brakes needed.

[Brockflock]

Time for a brake rebuild. D1 has 130k mi., and front calipers are original. Rear calipers and flex pipes have been replaced. Using stainless flex pipes on rear, fronts are waiting for this rebuild.

AB shows 4 different rebuild kits, ranging from $240 to $600. In the mix are the EBC kits.

1.) Anyone have suggestions regarding these?
2.) Do I need EBC calipers to use EBC rotors, etc. or are the systems fairly interchangeable?
3.) AB calipers are about $150.00 each for fronts. Any other suggestions?

I am not just looking to go cheap. I just don't want to buy more expensively and get no more from it.

Any ideas/sources where I should look? I am right down the road from AB. I get overnight shipping w/out having to pay for it, so I usually go to them first, but I am not committed.

Thanks!

 

[fishEH]

You could do a full D90 upgrade for a LOT less than $600. You may not need or want to do that upgrade but I couldn't see spending that kind of money on stock D1 stuff.
That said, just because the front calipers are original doesn't mean they're bad. Take a look at the pots and seals. If they're rusted/corroded you might as well replace the calipers because rebuilding them isn't worth the cost now that British Pacific is gone.

 

[riceybean]

Call Will or Marty

 

[fishEH]

Or Justin.

 

[Tugela]

I've been happy with the Defender front brake upgrade. If you are already committed to complete replacement, then why not take the opportunity to improve your braking performance instead of just refreshing the stock capabilities? Even though your vehicle is stock what's not to like about more powerful brakes?

 

[Brockflock]

Okay, so what is involved in a D90 upgrade? I have no complaints about more powerful brakes!

Does that require anything other than different calipers, pads and rotors?

As far as I know, the front calipers should be replaced. I live in the only part of the country where Rolls Royce does not guarantee their cars from rust - we use tons of salt.

 

[cupgt]

Bigger calipers, bigger pads and vented rotors. All bolts up, just have to but a bend in the hard line to the caliper.

 

[Brockflock]

That sounds easy enough. Sources? AB site shows a rotor that doesn't seem to have the slots.

 

[fishEH]

That sounds easy enough. Sources? AB site shows a rotor that doesn't seem to have the slots.

I got my stuff from Justin at Lucky8llc.com It was and is the best deal around. He can also get your other parts like drive flange washers(2), hub oil seal(RTC3511 x2), wheel bearings(4), and lock washers(2).
Everything is a direct bolt on deal. Since they like road salt near you I would recommend buying two 3/16" bubble flare metric hard lines, 12" in length, from any auto parts store. Then bend them to fit. Should be about $10 for both lines with the proper fittings already installed.
The reason I recommend new lines is
A) they're cheap
B) your old fittings could be rusted and you might end up rounding the fitting nuts or breaking a line.
For $10 its not even worth the hassle to try IMO. In fact, I would just cut the brake line just above the fittings, then use a 6 point socket to remove them.

I can get you a pic of how I bent my lines if that would help.

 

[Tugela]

What I ended up doing was installing D110 calipers. They are identical to D90 calipers except that they don't have the spacer to fit a ventilated disc. This means they work with stock (and aftermarket) D1 rotors. In other words, by going the D110 route, I only had to replace the calipers/pads and could use the new D1 rotors already in my parts pile. I also installed new brake hard lines and stainless brake cables. If you're in rustville then replacing those might not be a bad idea, either. I bought rebuilt calipers from a fellow D-webber, but from time to time I believe PT Schram or Will Tillery have these parts.

If not, then get the whole D90 kit with the ventilated rotors. Will had some of these left (see the "Vendors Only" section or whatever it's called). It's an easy job, assuming the hardware isn't seized from corrosion.

 

[Brockflock]

Thanks, Fish. I had to replace the rear pipes and added the stainless flex lines too. My big nightmare there was that the double elbow connector at the top of the flex lines stripped out when I pulled the old lines. Cost me hundreds of miles of driving because the only place open on a Sunday was FAR away! I will consider doing the pipes too when I get under this to do the work.

Tegula, the D90 rotors and calipers will work as well? Or just the 110's?

 

[cupgt]

The 90 calipers are the same but you get the vented rotors to help dissipate heat better.

 

[Tugela]

Yes, D90 rotors and calipers will work as well. Brett's advice (fishEH) is spot on. I just added my $0.02 as an alternative in case you had some compelling reason to stick with Disco rotors and could find D110 calipers. My situation was uncommon- I had a new pair of Disco rotors waiting to install when I lucked out with a good deal on D110 calipers (also thanks to Brett). If I was going to do it all over again and was in your situation, I'd follow Brett's recommendation and get the whole D90 enchilada combination plate, including new lines/fittings. Good luck! It's a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[ERover82]

Are the vented D90 rotors worth it over the D110/D1 rotors?

Anyone know why the lighter 90 has the vented rotors, not the heavier 110?

 

[Brockflock]

OK. I think I have it. The fronts I can change over with no problem. The rears have D1 CALIPERS that are about 6 mo. old, so I don't want to buy replacements. Can I get the slotted rotors and pads for the D90 on the rears, or should I go with the D1 rotors and pads?

(I think this will be the last question....)

edit: I meant I have newer rear CALIPERS! Duh! Sometimes I think I have Alzheimers. Sometimes I forget to think that!

So, will the vented rotors and corresponding pads fit in the D1 CALIPERS?

 

[Tugela]

Are the vented D90 rotors worth it over the D110/D1 rotors?

I've seen a range of opinions on this subject. Brett (I think it was him) commented recently about how his vented rotors got packed with mud and cleaning them was a PITA. Others have reported substantially improved braking performance of non-solid rotors. My own experience is that my Disco handles like a waterbed no matter what parts I install, so expecting race car performance from it is futile. I adapt my driving style to the characteristics of the truck and take my time getting places.

 

[cupgt]

D90 rear brakes are the same as the disco

 

[jafir]

D90 rear brakes are the same as the disco

Unless you've got drums!

 

[Brockflock]

Order is placed. Thanks for walking me through it all!

 

[Brockflock]

Ok. Rear brakes done. Now I am looking over the fronts. Left front line coming from ABS pump to the flex line will not break free at the joint with the flex line. I can always replace that line with a new one, but I am concerned about the passenger side.

Here is my question: If I have to cut the hard line above the flex line, Will I be able to put a new piece on using some kind of union, to get it to the mount for the flex line? I have the kit to form the lines and ends, I just don't know about the union. That hard line goes through way too much to get a new one back in easily.